NT’s favorite substitute teacher: Mr. Nebojsa Acimovic
Before substitute teacher, Nebojsa Acimovic also known as Mr. Neb came to New Trier, he had spent 18 years in forgeign services.
“I used to be a diplomat and even though my job didn’t change, I moved to three different countries,” said Neb.
His first job in forgein services was as a diplomat to the federal republic of Yugoslavia. Then he moved on as a diplomat to Serbia, and then The Republic of Serbia.
Neb started his career as a trainee and eventually ended up in Chicago
“I finished my career here as acting consul general for Serbia here in Chicago,” explained Neb.
He decided to stay in Chicago after he stopped working in foreign services.
While in Serbia, he was an adviser to the president of Serbia. When he moved to Chicago, his position was as a diplomat.
“I served three years as an assistant to the foreign policy adviser to president of Serbia. I was a diplomat here in Chicago for two terms as well,” he explained.
In Chicago, Neb served two terms. Each term he served was for five years.
“My first term was from 2003- 2008 and my second term was from 2009-2014,” explained Neb.
Neb eventually made the decision to leave his job for his family in Chicago. His son was born here and his wife’s family was here as well.
“I loved that job, it was a great job but family was first. So I decided to leave that and stay here,” said Neb.
Aleksander Kuzmanovic has been friends with Neb for over 10 years and met him when he was a consul in Chicago.
“When I met him he was a vice- consul in the Serbian Consulate in Chicago. Given that we live nearby, and our children are of similar age, we continued our friendship,” said Kuzmanovic.
Another colleague, Milomir Ognjanovic, worked with Neb as a Serbian Consulate General.
“Nebojsa and I had the opportunity to work together during the post at the Serbian Consulate General in Chicago in the period of January 2010-May 2014,” saidOgnjanovic.
From the very start, Ognjanovic was impressed with Neb’s work ethic as well as his professionalism.
“Nebojsa impressed me with professionalism, drive, and excellent customer service skills towards the Consulate General employees and Chicago partners. I also observed his work, professionalism and leadership skills,” said Ognjanovic.
Neb lives in Wilmette so he is local to New Trier. He was a teacher before he worked in foreign services so he wanted to get back into teaching. Although he was unable to obtain his teaching license, he got his license to be a substitute teacher, which brought him to New Trier.
“I had some previous background in teaching. Before I joined the services, my job was teaching direct marketing back in Yugoslavia. I was looking for teaching jobs and I tried to get a license but I couldn’t get the full license. I had only obtained a substitute teaching license and I started as a substitute,” said Mr. Neb.
Mr. Neb loves it at New Trier and the students love him as a substitute teacher as well.
“I like to be here. I love New Trier. There are great kids here and it is a great school,” said Mr. Neb.
People that know Mr. Neb always have great things to say about him and they love the person he is.
“Nebojsa is truly a fantastic guy. He is a great parents and he was a great diplomat while he was a vice-consul,” said Kuzmanovic.